Theatre
Take Center Stage
What jobs can you take with a
theatre degree?
Acting
Directing
Stage management
Broadcaster
Voice Actor
Theatre technology
What’s the Difference at DWU?
- Dive into your curriculum with courses like history of theatre and drama, acting, stage combat, scene design and directing.
- Discover the history of theatre in workshops hosted by professionals.
- Direct your own production as part of your student experience.
- Immerse yourself in stage arts and theatre productions with events like the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival or in places like the United Kingdom.
- Auditions for all productions are open to any part-time or full-time DWU student, as well as faculty, staff and community members.
Performing Arts Scholarships and Auditions
At Dakota Wesleyan University, we welcome all students—regardless of major—to get involved in theatre, whether on stage or behind the scenes. Performing Arts Scholarships are available for those interested in acting, directing, or technical theatre.
To be considered for a Theatre Scholarship, just upload an audition video or schedule an on-campus audition. If awarded a scholarship, you’ll be expected to stay active in theatre each semester you receive it.
Interested in technical theatre or backstage work?
No audition is required. Instead, we’ll set up a quick interview so we can learn more about your interests and experience.
Planning to submit an audition video?
- Record your audition video using your phone or other device. A simple setup is perfectly fine!
- Upload your video to a platform like YouTube, Google Drive, or Vimeo.
- Make sure the video is set to “public” or “anyone with the link can view.”
- Complete the Performing Arts Scholarship Form and include your video link.
Audition Tips and Tricks:
- Choose a monologue that shows your range—dramatic or comedic, contemporary, or classical—it’s up to you!
- One monologue around 60–90 seconds is perfect.
- Be sure to introduce yourself at the beginning of your video—say your name, where you're from, and what piece you’re performing.
- Keep your performance simple—no need for costumes or fancy staging. We want to see you.
- Memorization is highly encouraged, but we understand if you're still polishing—confidence and expression matter most.
Theatre Courses
Take a look at courses you'll complete as part of earning your Theatre degree.
DRM 121 Technical Theatre
DRM 132 Auditioning and Tech Interviews
DRM 141 Theatre Arts
DRM 151 History of Theatre
DRM 188 Stage Management
DRM 203 Acting For the Stage
DRM 213 Scene Design
DRM 222 History of Musical Theatre
DRM 280 Production and Practicum I
DRM 301 Costume and Makeup
DRM 305 Acting for the Camera
DRM 335 Directing I
DRM 380 Production Practicum II
DRM 409 Acting Period Styles
DRM 436 Directing II
DRM 466 Stage Combat
DRM 480 Production Practicum III
Get to Know Your Professors
Embrace learning the performing arts with our skilled teachers. Our low student-to-faculty ratio offers valuable one-on-one interaction with your professors.
Dan Miller, MFA
Field Study
You'll travel and attend professional theatre productions either in New York, the United Kingdom or another theatre-rich, history-rich region of the world. Along with these productions, you'll investigate the history of theatre and participate in workshops hosted by professional theatre companies or individuals.
Our Venues
Where will you perform? The DWU Theatre opened in September 2017. This $1.2-million, 5,000-square-foot building is located on the south side of Dakota Discovery Museum on DWU’s campus. The facility houses a Black Box Theatre, scene shop, office space, dressing rooms, bathrooms and a green room.
The Pepsi-Cola Theatre for the Performing Arts is another venue used by Dakota Wesleyan theatre. In a partnership with the Mitchell Area Community Theatre, DWU theatre presents theatrical productions at this community facility when the occasion calls. DWU theatre students also participate in the MACT by acting, directing, stage managing or designing shows.
The Mitchell Performing Arts Center (PAC) is a complex built to develop and showcase the abundant talent in our region. This 65,000 square foot facility is located on the 42-acre Mitchell Senior High School campus. The PAC is designed for teaching and learning including practice rooms, the Thomsen/Stahle band room, a choir room, and various classrooms dedicated to the arts. The highlight of the facility is the Ron and Sheilah Gates Auditorium which seats 1,200 and features the same sound, lighting, staging, and audience seating attributes available in most professional venues.
Related Majors & Minors
English
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Communication
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Digital Media and Design
The ever-growing technology industry needs talented people like you to create and design digital elements for countless applications.
Business Administration
As a business administration major at DWU, you’ll prepare for limitless career choices in the professional world.
